Counting device



March 13, 1951 D. s. SAQUI 2,544,909

COUNTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 20, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet '1 IN VEN TOR. 434m J. JA U/ jam SW March 13, D s SAQU] COUNTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 20, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. DAV/0 J. 5400/ March 13, 1951 D. s. SAQUI 2,544,900

COUNTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 2.0, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR.

fla /.0 5. SAQU/ G A Tram 5y Tatented Mar. 13,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COUNTING DEVICE David S. Saqui, Detroit, Mich. Application August 20, 1946, Serial N0. 691,765

Claims. 1

This invention relates to counting devices and more particularly to a device which is convenient to use in games where score is kept, such for instance in card games.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved device for keeping score in various games, particularly in card games such as the game of cribbage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for keeping score in various games, which device is convenient to use, pleasant to handle, and which can be carried around in a suit case or a pocket without the danger of being broken or otherwise damaged.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for keeping score in various games, which device does not have any protruding portions such as hinges, hooks and the like and therefore can be put into a coat pocket or into a special case and taken out therefrom without catching on anything and thus cause annoyance or breakage of its parts.

A still further object of the invention is to pro.- vide an improved device for keeping score in card games such as the game of cribbage, which device has a convenient receptacle for a de ck of cards and score pins, means being provided for locking said receptacle automatically as it is being closed, said locking means leaving no outside protrusions in the closed position of the parts and being susceptible of being opened merely by pull on the parts of the device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for keeping scores, particularly in card games, which device has a construction making it possible to impart to the device a pleasing and quieting appearance.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved device which, while being particularly adapted for keeping scores in various games, can also be used as a record keeping or counting device in various operations or industrial processes, as a counting device for general counting purposes, as a toy, and as an educational device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the foregoing character, in which score representing holes or indentations are clearly marked with predetermined characters, i. e. numerals, letters or other figures, thus decreasing the possibility of mistakes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device for keeping score in various games, which device is of a hollow construction and which can be molded from plastic materials (Cl. Z73148) in a relatively simple manner and with the use of less complicated molding apparatus.

It is an added object of the invention to provide a device of the foregoing character which is simple and rugged in construction, convenient and pleasant in use, and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating a device embodying the present invention, said device being shown in its upright position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the device of Fig. 1 turned upside down, with the slide partly opened to show the score pins and the card compartments.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing the three pieces from which my improved device is made.

Fig. i is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the device of Fig. 1, the view being taken in the direction of the arrows on the section plane passing through the line. 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows on the transverse vertical section plane passing through the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows on the transverse vertical section plane passing through the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows on the section plane passing through the line l'! of Fig. 4.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illusrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the pur pose of description and not of limitation.

In the drawings there is shown, by way of example, a score counting device embodying the present invention and particularly, although not exclusively adapted for keeping score in card games, such for instance as the game of cribbage.

Referring to the drawings, my device comprises generally an elongated rectangular board-like box, made preferably of a smooth material of relatively dark color. 0n the top surface of the box there is provided a plurality of panels designated by the numerals H], H, H and i3, which panels are of a distinct, preferably light color. Said panels are provided with rows of peg-receiving holes |4 adapted to receive pegs or score pins such as l5 and i6, preferably of two diiferent colors. The holes are designated by numerals arranged in proper proximity to the holes which they designate and are applied to the surfaces of the panels in any suitable manner, such as by stamping.

In the present embodiment of the invention the panels are provided with two similar sets or rows of holes to adapt the device for simultaneous keeping of two scores. Only one set of numerals is used for each pair of rows. Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the panel ID is provided with two vertical rows of holes, ten holes in each row, the holes being numbered from to 9. The panel l3 has two rows of holes, twelve holes in each row, designated from 0 to 120. The panels H and I2 have one row of eleven holes each. Such an arrangement of holes makes the device illustrated in the drawings particularly adapted for keeping the separate scores of two partners in the card game of cribbage. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the above number or the arrangement of holes or to the manner of their designation, since other arrangements to suit other games, or other record keeping or counting operations may be used.

The upper surface of the device is smooth with all of its upper edges l1 and corners l8 rounded. I prefer to make the device approximately nine inches long, approximately three inches wide, and one inch high. With such sizes and smooth surfaces, the device can be conveniently grasped and picked up with one hand, and carried around, in a coat pocket if desired. It is important that all protrusions, hooks, hinges and the like, common in devices of this general nature and liable to be broken off or to catch on the pocket lining, are entirely eliminated in my improved device making it convenient and pleasant to use and to carry around.

Referring now to Fig. 3, my device is made up of three pieces, a frame 29, a one piece insert 2 l, and a slide 22. The frame 29 is a single piece preferably molded from a smooth relatively dark material and having walls 23 and a top wall 24. The top wall 2 is provided with a plurality of apertures lfla, Ha, l2a, and |3a adapted to receive the raised portions I01), Hb, |2b and 53b provided on the upper surface of the insert 2|. Said raised portions are made to fit into their respective apertures to form. when assembled, the panels It, l2 and i3, and an unbroken smooth top surface. The insert piece is molded preferably as a single piece of material of a distinct preferably light color, and provided in its raised portions with peg-receiving holes and designating numerals in the arrangement explained above. Thus, as can be seen from an examination of the drawings, the raised portions are formed integral with their connecting or bridge portions. on the lower surface of the insert 2| there'are provided ribs 25 and 26 which in the assembled position of the insert are received in the slots 21 and '28 provided on the inner surfaces of the side walls 23 of the frame 20, thus separating the space determined by the frame 20 into compartments. The slide 22 is adapted to slide in slots 30 provided in the lower portion of the walls 23, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 6. The slide "22 is provided with a finger recess 3| and is cored out as indicated at 32.

With the insert 2| assembled to and cemented in place in the frame 2i), and the slide 22 in place and closed, the device in its upright position will appear as shown in Fig. 1. When the device is turned over, the slide 22 may be opened as shown in Fig. 2 to allow access into the compartments 33 and 3 5 which may be used for extra pegs 35 and a deck of cards 36, as illustrated. It should be noted that the rib 26 is lower than the rib 25, and therefore in closing, the slide 22 goes over the rib 26 and abuts against the rib 25. In the present embodiment of the invention the extra compartment formed at the opposite end of the frame 20 beyond the rib 25 remains open, but it may be closed, if desired, either permanently or with the aid of another slide.

The insert 2| may be cored out in places, such as indicated at 38. Around the lower edges of the peg-receiving holes Hi there are provided heads or bosses 39 intended to increase the bearing area for the pegs and to prevent the holes appearing to the user from a normal angle of vision as black spots, which appearance is rather disquieting and unpleasant.

A locking knob it] is provided on the slide in such a location that it just gets over the front wall of the frame when the end of the slide reaches the rib 25. By virtue of such a construction looseness and rattling are eliminated, and the slide is locked and unlocked automatically as the slide is being closed or opened.

In addition to the use in keeping scores, my improved device may be used as a record keeping device in various industrial and other operations, as an educational device or as a toy. Slight modifications which may be desired in my improved device to adapt it stil1 further for such particular uses may be easily made on the basis of the present disclosure.

There is thus provided an improved counting device whereby the objects of the present invention and numerous additional advantages are attained.

I claim: 7

1. A score keeping device including a box-like frame having an open bottom and a closed top with a plurality of apertures provided in said top in places intended for scorekeeping faces thereof; a one-piece insert of a different color than said frame, said insert comprising a corresponding plurality of raised portions connected by bridges and adapted to close said apertures when the insert is fitted into said frame from the inside thereof and thus to provide score-keeping faces, said raised portions being integrally formed with their connecting bridges and having a pinrality of peg-receiving holes for score-keeping, provided in a predetermined arrangement.

2. A device as defined by the preceding claim 1 with at least some of said peg-receiving holes having adjacently placed identifying characters.

3. A score keeping device including a one piece box-like frame molded from a plastic material and having an open bottom and a closed top having a plurality of apertures, a one-piec insert molded from a plastic material of a different color than said frame and comprising on its upper surface a plurality of raised portions corresponding to said apertures and at least one rib on its lower surface, said insert being insertable into said frame from the inside thereof to have said raised portions fit into and to close said apertures thus providing score-keeping faces, said raised.

portions having a plurality of peg-receiving and numeral identified holes thereon, said rib being adapted to form a, partition in said frame, and a slide engaging the lower edges of said frame and adapted to close and to open selectively at least one of the compartments formed by said rib within said frame.

4. A construction as defined by the preceding claim 3, the raised portions of the insert fitting flush and forming a continuous smooth surface with the upper surface of said frame.

5. A score keeping device including a onepiece box-like frame having a closed top and an open bottom, said top being provided with a plurality of apertures, a one-piece insert comprising a plurality of raised portions connected by bridge portions, said raised portions being adapted to enter into and close said apertures when the insert is fitted into said frame from the inside thereof and thus to provide scorekeepingfaces on said frame, with the portions of said frame top fitting over the connecting bridge portions of said insert; said raised portions being provided with rows of peg-receiving holes for score-keepmg.

DAVID S. SAQUI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Jan. 25, 1932 

